Knowledge of cardiovascular disease in South African HIV-positive surgical patients – A pilot survey

Background: Medical and surgical HIV-positive patients are at risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Surgical patients are admitted to hospital for a few days around the time of their surgeries, allowing sufficient opportunity for health promotion interventions. Health promotion could improve CVD knowledge and encourage lifelong healthy behaviours. However, this approach requires that baseline CVD knowledge first be established. This study sought to determine the knowledge of CVD in HIV-positive South African (SA) surgical patients.Methods: This was a prospective pilot survey of HIVpositive surgical patients who attended a tertiary hospital in Durban, South Africa, between 1 October 2016 and 31 March 2017. Patients completed 2 questionnaires: (1) a demographic characteristics questionnaire, and (2) a CVD knowledge questionnaire (identifying risk factors and signs/symptoms of myocardial infarction and stroke). All data were analysed using descriptive statistical methods.Results: The study sample consisted of 39 HIV-positive surgical patients. Correct responses for the items on the CVD knowledge questionnaire ranged between 0.0% and 61.5% for risk factors, and between 0.0% and 89.7% for signs/symptoms.Conclusion: Knowledge of CVD risk factors and signs/ symptoms in this study was less than desirable. Levels of CVD knowledge are likely a function of educational attainment

Understanding and responding to HIV risk in young South African women: clinical perspectives.

CAPRISA, 2015.Abstract available in pdf

Implementation of Adolescent-Friendly Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision Using a School Based Recruitment Program in Rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Background: Epidemiological data from South Africa demonstrate that risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in males increases dramatically after adolescence. Targeting adolescent HIV-negative males may be an efficient and cost-effective means of maximising the established HIV prevention benefits of voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) in high HIV prevalence–, low circumcision practice–settings. This study assessed the feasibility of recruiting male high school students for VMMC in such a setting in rural KwaZulu-Natal. Methods and Findings: Following community and key stakeholder consultations on the acceptability of VMMC recruitment through schools, information and awareness raising sessions were held in 42 high schools in Vulindlela. A three-phase VMMC demand-creation strategy was implemented in partnership with a local non-governmental organization, ZimnadiZonke, that involved: (i) community consultation and engagement; (ii) in-school VMMC awareness sessions and centralized HIV counselling and testing (HCT) service access; and (iii) peer recruitment and decentralized HCT service access. Transport was provided for volunteers to the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA) clinic where the forceps-guided VMMC procedure was performed on consenting HIV-negative males. HIV infected volunteers were referred to further care either at the CAPRISA clinic or at public sector clinics. Between March 2011 and February 2013, a total of 5165 circumcisions were performed, the majority (71%) in males aged between 15 and 19 years. Demand-creation strategies were associated with an over five-fold increase in VMMC uptake from an average of 58 procedures/month in initial community engagement phases, to an average of 308 procedures/month on initiation of the peer recruitment–decentralized service phase. Post-operative adverse events were rare (1.2%), mostly minor and self-resolving. Conclusions: Optimizing a high volume, adolescent-targeted VMMC program was feasible, acceptable and safe in this setting. Adaptive demand-creation strategies are required to sustain high uptake

Meeting the sexual and reproductive health needs of high-school students in South Africa: experiences from rural KwaZulu-Natal.

CAPRISA, 2014.Abstract available in pdf

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of health professionals towards people living with lymphoedema caused by lymphatic filariasis, podoconiosis and leprosy in northern Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Podoconiosis, lymphatic filariasis and leprosy are highly stigmatised neglected tropical diseases that cause lymphoedema. Their enormous impacts on health-related quality of life, mental health and economic productivity can be significantly reduced by morbidity management and disability prevention (MMDP) services, but to deliver such services requires appropriate training of healthcare professionals. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of rural Ethiopian healthcare professionals towards people with lymphoedema as a way to assess training needs. METHODS: This study used questionnaires to quantitatively assess KAP towards people with lymphoedema among rural healthcare professionals in northwest Ethiopia before and 12 months after a short training intervention. RESULTS: Questionnaires were administered to 14 health professionals at baseline and 21 at follow-up. At baseline, 71% (10/14) were found to hold at least one stigmatising attitude towards lymphoedema patients, compared with 66% (14/21) at follow-up. Large gaps in knowledge were noted, with many unable to identify ways of treating/preventing the diseases. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed high proportions of healthcare workers holding stigmatising views and lacking essential knowledge about lymphoedema. To maximise the impact of MMDP interventions, further research is urgently needed to understand how to address these issues

HIV infection in high school students in rural South Africa: role of transmissions among students.

CAPRISA, 2014.Abstract available in pdf

HIV and adolescents: focus on young key populations

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/138345/1/jia20076.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/138345/2/jia20076-sup-0001.pd

HIV-positive status disclosure in patients in care in rural South Africa: implications for scaling up treatment and prevention interventions.

CAPRISA, 2015Abstract available in pdf

The preventive misconception: experiences from CAPRISA 004.

CAPRISA, 2014.Abstract available in pdf

Adolescent girls and young women: key populations for HIV epidemic control.

CAPRISA, 2015.Abstract available in pdf